Spanish Netherlands

The Spanish Netherlands was a province of the Spanish Empire from 1581 to 1714, comprising Belgium and Luxembourg, in addition to parts of France and Germany; Brussels served as the capital of the region. The region was formed as a result of the Dutch Revolt, as the Netherlands seceded from Spain to form the independent United Provinces. The Spanish Netherlands was home to the ports of Bruges, Antwerp, and Ostend, and it was known for its prosperity. In 1714, the Spanish Netherlands was annexed by the Holy Roman Empire and replaced by the Austrian Netherlands as a result of the War of the Spanish Succession.